Description
This delicious Caramel Apple Jam combines tart and sweet apples with warm spices and brown sugar to create a rich, flavorful spread perfect for fall. The jam is cooked on the stovetop and preserved through canning, resulting in a smooth, perfectly textured jam that pairs wonderfully with toast, pancakes, or baked goods.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits & Liquids
- 6 cups peeled and finely chopped apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/2 cup water
Spices & Additives
- 1 package (1.75 oz) powdered fruit pectin
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Sweeteners
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 3 1/2 cups granulated sugar
Optional
- 1/2 teaspoon butter (optional, to reduce foaming)
Instructions
- Prepare the apples and simmer: In a large pot, combine the peeled and finely chopped apples with lemon juice and water. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples soften slightly, preparing them for jam consistency.
- Add pectin and spices: Stir in the powdered fruit pectin, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute all ingredients.
- Boil the mixture: Increase heat to high and bring the mixture to a full rolling boil while stirring constantly to prevent scorching. This ensures activation of the pectin and thickening of the jam.
- Add sugars and optional butter: Add the brown sugar and granulated sugar all at once to the boiling mixture. Add the butter if using, which helps reduce foam during boiling. Stir constantly.
- Boil hard: Return to a full rolling boil and boil hard for 1 minute, continuing to stir constantly to ensure the sugars dissolve fully and the jam thickens properly.
- Remove from heat and skim foam: Remove the pot from heat and skim off any foam that has formed on the surface for a clearer jam.
- Fill sterilized jars: Ladle the hot jam into sterilized half-pint jars, leaving about 1/4-inch headspace at the top to allow for expansion during processing.
- Seal and process: Wipe the rims of the jars clean, place the lids and bands securely on the jars, and process them in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes to ensure safe preservation.
- Cool and store: Remove jars from the water bath and let them cool completely at room temperature. Store in a cool, dark place and refrigerate after opening.
Notes
- Use a mix of tart and sweet apples to achieve a balanced flavor profile.
- For a smoother texture, mash the apples slightly during the initial cooking step.
- This jam pairs excellently with toast, pancakes, or as a filling for baked goods.
